Agenda and minutes

To consider the minutes of the last meeting and update any matters arising

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 6th November, 2006.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 6th November, 2006, be approved as a correct record.

To consider the attached report and draft policy statement

The Policy Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office, presented a report containing the Council’s draft Trade Justice Policy Statement. The report and the Policy Statement included the reasons why Trade Justice is important to the Council, the work and activities already achieved and key priorities for the future.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and the Trade Justice Policy Statement be welcomed.

(2) That the work and activities that have been undertaken by the Council be endorsed and the Policy Statement be taken forward and be a key input into policy and service development and implementation.

(3) That the report and the policy statement be referred to the Cabinet and to the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel for further consideration.

To consider the attached correspondence

Consideration was given to the following correspondence:-

(a) the letter, dated, 21 June, 2006, from the Commission for Local Administration in England (Local Government Ombudsman), stating the views of the Local Government Ombudsman on the complaints received against this Council during 2005/06;

(b) the Chief Executive’s letter of response, dated 18 July, 2006.

Resolved:- (1) That the contents of the correspondence be noted.

(2) That reports about complaints made against the Council be submitted, at intervals of three months, to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Customer Services and Innovation.

(3) That a seminar about the role and work of the Local Government Ombudsman be arranged for all Members of the Council.

The Service Leader, Revenues and Benefits (RBT) submitted a report providing information about the amendments being made to the Council Tax reminders and final notice documents. Members noted that the legislative minimum content of each document is still required to be maintained.

The report stated that the changes had been made to improve customer service and income collection (reference RB02/BV09 Percentage of Council Tax collected for the year). Documents have been simplified to make them clearer and more understandable. A set of “Frequently Asked Questions” inserts has been created to provide answers to commonly asked questions without the need to contact the Council.

It was also noted that the Council Tax bill would be revised, but this work had not yet been completed. A further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Customer Services and Innovation on this matter.

Resolved:- That the report be received and the format and content of the various Council Tax notices, letters and documents be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, RBT

The Chief Executive, RBT, submitted a report on the progress and performance of RBT for October, 2006, highlighting:-

-     the Payroll Team winning the “Payroll Excellence in the Public Sector” award at the prestigious Pay Magazine Awards;

-     the Payroll Team achieved 99.77% accuracy and ICT achieved 100% performance on their Service Level Agreements;

-     shortlisting of ICT for an e Government national award in the category “Local e Government excellence – Team”;

-     shortlisting of eProcurement for an e Government national award in the category “Local e Government excellence – Efficiency”; the awards would be announced on 17th January, 2007;

-     there would be a pilot scheme of home based customer service agents, receiving telephone calls at peak times, during 2007.

The report included the Service overview for:-

§                     Customer Services/Public Access

§                     HR and Payroll

§                     ICT

§                     Procurement

§                     Revenues and Benefits

§                     Progress against Corporate Initiatives

§                     Equalities

§                     Investors in People

§                     Consultation/Complaints

Details were also provided of the Service Level Agreement underperformance during the period August to October, 2006.

Reference was made to the revised arrangements for the ICT refresh and it was agreed that details would be published in the next edition of the UNITE periodical.

Resolved:- (1) That the contents of the report be noted.

(2) That the ‘arrow report’ no longer be submitted to this meeting.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Procurement Panel held on 20th November, 2006

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Procurement Panel, held on 20th November, 2006.

Resolved:- That the contents of the minutes be noted.

To consider the minutes of the meetings of the Communications and Marketing Group held on (a) 4th October, 2006 and (b) 16th November, 2006.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings of the Communications and Marketing Group, held on 4th October, 2006 and 16th November, 2006.

Resolved:- That the contents of the minutes be noted.

To consider any questions received from Elected Members

No questions had been received from Elected Members.